Are You Ready for Your Facelift Recovery?

There’s more to planning a facelift than picking a date on the calendar, especially when you’re looking ahead to your smooth and successful recovery. In fact, you’ll probably stay pretty busy with a nice, long to-do list in preparation for your surgery day. Don’t let it stress you out, though; planning ahead can help you to relax later on, exactly when you’ll need it the most. To get your best surgical results, you’ll need to heal your best. Take these steps when you’re planning for your own post-surgical recovery.

Stay Safe & Healthy Before, During and After Surgery

Your personal health status and lifestyle habits will play a major role in how well you tolerate surgery. Being ready for surgery will help you recover more smoothly, so don’t skip these important steps. To ensure your own good health and preparedness for surgery, check these items off your to-do list.

• Quit smoking. Nicotine can affect the rate of blood flow through the body, leading to delays in healing and potential complications from surgery.
• Discuss your current medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal therapies with your facial plastic surgeon. You may need to stop taking some of these temporarily during the surgical process.
• Care for your skin. Your facelift results will look their best when your skin is healthy.
• Eat healthfully and exercise regularly to ensure your own inner health.
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is essential for healthy skin.

Understand the Post-Facelift Recovery

Before your surgery begins, you should have a full understanding of what to expect when it’s over. Don’t skip this important step. Knowing what side effects will occur and how you will likely feel can ease your nerves and help you relax even more. Many patients are surprised that their pain is not as severe as expected, but their surprise is more relief. You will likely experience a feeling of tightness, swelling, and bruising, as well as tingling or numbness as well. Knowing this could keep you from panicking when they do set in!

Follow your facial plastic surgeon’s careful guidelines to alleviate some of your post-facelift side effects. Take your pain medication as directed and have the right supplies on hand, like cold compresses and clean bandages. Staying on track with his instructions can keep you focused and relaxed, while your body does its best to heal quickly.

Have Everything You’ll Need In Advance

When you return home after your facelift surgery, the last thing you’ll want to do is run some errands. Instead, take the time upfront to prepare for what you’ll need afterwards. Make a list of everything you must do before—grocery shopping, dry cleaning, arranging for pet care, etc. Next, make a list of everything you’ll need to have on hand, including easy-to-eat snacks, bottled water, medical supplies, loose clothing, pillows and blankets, and so on. Again, these items will be covered during your pre-surgical meetings, so keep track of what’s needed and get yourself ready to recover.

Count On Friends and Family

From the moment your surgery ends, you’ll need to have someone to help you out. You won’t be able to drive yourself home from surgery, so you’ll be required to have a trusted family member or friend present during your surgery and able to provide you with a safe ride home. If you live alone, arrange for someone to stay with you during the first 48 – 72 hours, just in case you need an extra hand. Let others know about your surgery, especially if you don’t want to be disturbed while resting and recovering. Make arrangements to care for your children and pets for this early recovery time as well, to give yourself the rest you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Including your friends and family in this important process can do much to set your mind at ease.

Meet with an Expert Facial Plastic Surgeon

Your best results begin with your best surgery, so make sure you’re working with an expert in the field to get your very best results. Learn more about the facelift process when you consult with Dr. Andrew Frankel, board certified in both Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT). His focus is on facial rejuvenation, especially through procedures such as the facelift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery, as well as rhinoplasty. Since 1994, Dr. Frankel has been practicing at the Lasky Clinic and earned recognition as an expert in his field. He has many publications on a variety of topics including midface lifts, Botox, rhinoplasty, and more. To consult with Dr. Frankel, contact the Lasky Clinic located at 201 South Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Call (310) 552-2173 to schedule your appointment today.